From the iconic original to its lesser-loved sequels and reboot, here’s a definitive ranking of all 4 I Know What You Did Last Summer movies — from worst to best. Discover which slasher reigns supreme!
The I Know What You Did Last Summer film series is one of the most famous horror franchises that originated out of the 1990s slasher boom. Loosely inspired by Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel, it follows a group of teens who cover up a hit-and-run accident only to be stalked by a mysterious killer a year later. With a cult following and heavy nostalgic hold, the franchise produced four films, both memorable and forgettable.
4. I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006) Director: Sylvain White
Starring: Brooke Nevin, David Paetkau, Torrey DeVitto
Rotten Tomatoes Score: N/A (Direct-to-DVD release)
IMDb Score: 3.5/10
Why It’s the Worst:
Let’s face it, it almost doesn’t count. Released straight to DVD in 2006, I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer is a follow-up that did not feature the original characters. I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer packs an almost identical story about a group of Colorado teens who cover up an accident, only to be assaulted by a hook-wielding killer.
The movie is widely panned for being cheap-looking, poorly-acted, and having a ludicrous twist that turns its original human killer into something supernatural. While the first two entries had some charm and style, this one is a lifeless cash grab. The whole premise is tired, there is no suspense, and we know only that the killer acts because this is a horror movie – there are practically no motivations for the killer whatsoever!
Positive Attributes:
If you are a hard-core slasher fan, there is a certain “so-bad-it s-good” atmosphere.
It showcases the mid-2000s horror slump.
3. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
Director: Danny Cannon
Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr., Brandy Norwood, Mekhi Phifer
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 7%
IMDb Rating: 4.7/10
Why it’s rated so low:
Even with the return of Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr., this sequel was unable to capture the original’s lightning-in-a-bottle feeling. Taking the action to a tropical resort in the Bahamas instead of a darker coastal town allowed the movie to miss out on the original’s atmosphere, which did not please fans of the series.
The plot is utterly outlandish, with a fake radio station contest that leads to Julie and her friends going to the island. The twist (Ben Willis is back and this time he brought his son!) is clichéd and cartoonish, and while the murders are more gruesome, the emotional effect is nil.
What is good about it:
Brandy’s star power brings an unexpected jolt of energy.
The tropical storm setting adds a different slasher vibe.
Killer one-liners (“Still know what I did? I never forgot!”)
2. I Know What You Did Last Summer (2021) – Amazon Prime Reboot Series
Created by: Sara Goodman
Starring: Madison Iseman, Brianne Tju, Ezekiel Goodman
Rotten Tomatoes: 40%
IMDb: 5.2/10
Why is it better than the sequels?
This eight-episode Amazon Prime series re-imagines the original story with a new Gen Z spin, with more contemporary horror aesthetics, psychological thrills, and social commentary. Set in Hawaii, a group of high school graduates cover up a deadly car accident but one year later, are stalked by a hooded figure.
Not everyone loved the reboot – after all, many fans believed it had strayed too far from the original – but at least it tried to do something new. The reboot explores their characters more psychologically, and throws in a few shocking twists, then tackles themes of identity, trauma, and deception.
Redeeming Factors:
Madison Iseman and Brianne Tju’s powerful performances.
Fast paced and bingeable with wild plot twists.
A bold and divisive ending.
1. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Director: Jim Gillespie
Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Freddie Prinze Jr.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 45%
IMDb Score: 5.8/10
Why It’s Best:
There’s no debate: the 1997 original is the gold standard for the franchise. At the height of the 90s teen horror boom brought on by Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer introduced a provocative premise to fans: what happens when you can’t keep your long-buried dark secret?
From its creepy coastal North Carolina location to its cast of future Hollywood stars, the movie boasts psychological tension, a characteristically memorable killer with a hook for a weapon, and the lump-in-your-throat scream queen moment: “What are you waiting for, huh?!”
It’s the killer chase scene and reaction performed by Sarah Michelle Gellar that has remained one of the more infamous chase scenes in slasher history. The film didn’t cause any revolutionary shifts to the genre but did polish it to perfection: identifiable characters, an unrelenting false sense of reality, and one big, deadly hook of a guilty conscience. Literally and figuratively.
Redeeming Qualities:
A cast with strong chemistry and a great “juice” factor.
Strong and atmospheric direction.
Great balance of ’90s nostalgia and teen slasher.
Why the Franchise Still Matters in 2025
The I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise is still relatable and relevant even today. At its heart is something that most of us can relate to: guilt, consequences, and ambiguity about the things we have done. Fears that we have done something wrong and are now being hunted are at the heart of this slasher story, all with the teenage twists of morality and risk-taking that create relatability and realism that is universal.
With all of life’s twists and turns along with a changing landscape of horror, there has been noise around a new sequel or reboot, in some form, possibly even bringing back parts of the cast. We can only hope that it is reminiscent of the spirit of what a slasher was in 1997 while offering something new and inviting.
Will There Be a New I Know What You Did Last Summer Movie?
There is speculation that Sony is working on a legacy sequel — and in a way similar to Scream (2022) — that would possibly bring back Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr.. This will be the first new project for them in over twenty years, and this new version could feature a new generation of teens paying for their sins. Keep your fingers crossed — and your eyes peeled. The hook will strike again.
While I Know What You Did Last Summer might not be as timeless across the board, the original film is definitely a horror classic. Whether you are a nostalgic fan or a newcomer who is curious about slasher history, this franchise is a bloody guilty pleasure that is definitely worth a watch (or two).
FAQs
How many I Know What You Did Last Summer movies are there?
There are three official movies, along with one rebooted television series:
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)
I Know What You Did Last Summer (2021) – Amazon Prime Series
Do I have to watch all of the movies in order?
It is best to watch the two films in order because they do follow the same cast and story. The third film and the 2021 series are standalone stories and can be watched as their own content.
Is the 2021 Amazon series a continuation of the 1997 film or a reboot?
It is a modern reboot with a brand new cast and a completely different story. It does follow the same general idea of a group of teens living with a deadly secret, but it does not follow the same story as the original films.
3. Is the 2021 Amazon series a sequel or a reboot?
The 2021 series is a modern reboot. The cast and story are completely new, and while it does not follow the events of the original films, it serves as a loose interpretation of the same premise – a group of teen friends haunted by a deadly secret.
4. Is I Know What You Did Last Summer based on true events?
No, the franchise is not based on true events, but rather the 1973 mystery novel, which was authored by Lois Duncan and later adapted into the 1997 horror film, I Know What You Did Last Summer.
5. Who was the killer in the original movie?
In the 1997 original, the killer is Ben Willis, a fisherman who was struck dead by the teens. A year later, Willis seeks his revenge.
6. Are there any I Know What You Did Last Summer movies coming out for 2025 or beyond?
There is speculation that a new legacy sequel is in development, which is possibly bringing back Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. However, there has been no official announcement of a release.